More than 500 experts, entrepreneurs, professors and representatives converged on July 11 for the International Poultry Industry Forum China (IPFC).

The forum, held in Kaifeng, Henan province, focused on two main themes: “Technology Empowerment” and “Green Transformation.”

Technological innovations such as digital farming and intelligent disease early warning systems were explored. The forum emphasized how to build an industrial ecosystem that balances economic benefits with environmental responsibility. The forum aimed to create a global platform for intellectual exchange, promoting the deep integration of technology and industry to respond to contemporary challenges.

President of the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) Ryan Bennett gave a speech titled “Key Welfare Indicators for Improving Animal Welfare.” He quoted Jill Robinson, CEO of Animals Asia, saying: “The issue of animal welfare in China has dramatically increased over the past 5 to 10 years. When I first started working in this country in 1985, there was only one welfare organization in Beijing, but now there are more than 100 organizations spread across almost every province.”

This phenomenon indicates that as society develops, people’s attention to animal welfare increases. At the same time, consumers are more concerned about food sources than ever before. Animal welfare has become as important a concern for consumers as food safety and price.

In Zhou Baogui’s report titled “Outstanding Broiler Breeds Suitable for the Chinese Market” at Beijing WOD Chenlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd., he discussed the current state and future development direction of China’s broiler market. The report pointed out that consumer demand for chicken products is trending toward diversification and high added value. Consumers not only seek quality and affordability but also prefer high-value chicken parts such as chicken feet.

A significant price difference exists between domestic and international chicken products, with products like chicken wings and chicken feet being particularly valuable in the Chinese market. However, existing broiler breeds mainly focus on meat yield while neglecting improvements in meat quality. According to a 2019 study by Wageningen University, the group of Ross 308 broilers with a daily weight gain of 55-60 grams had a wooden meat incidence rate 28.7% lower than the group with a daily weight gain of over 65 grams. A 2020 report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) also indicated that two fast-growing chicken breeds had wooden meat proportions of 23.4% and 14.3%, respectively, while slower-growing breeds had relatively lower.

On July 12, the forum featured two tracks: poultry meat and egg. Its theme of “Deep Exploration: Technology Redefining the Poultry Industry,” invited experts from both domestic and international sectors together.

Hu Kui, Deputy General Manager of Henan Huaying Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., shared insights into the company’s core competitiveness. As China’s first listed duck industry enterprise, Huaying has developed a comprehensive industrial chain spanning from duck breeding and commercial duck farming to slaughter processing over three decades. Specializing in Cherry Valley duck processing, this high-end food manufacturing company combines premium food production with international market orientation. Leveraging its multifaceted strengths, it has forged a distinctive business model that distinguishes itself through specialized operations.

China’s egg-laying poultry industry faces multiple challenges, including limited consumption patterns (fresh eggs account for 87.5%, while functional eggs make up less than 2%), low breeding profits and micronutrient deficiencies among residents (such as selenium, folic acid, and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids). The research team has focused on developing nutrient-enriched eggs using eggs as a nutritional carrier, aiming to enhance both industrial value and public health standards.

With decades of innovation, Hyline International has become the world’s first company to apply genome selection technology. Products like Hyline Pink and Hyline Gray demonstrate exceptional stress resistance and dry matter content, with intellectual property expenditures accounting for 10%. Key indicators in egg-laying chicken farming include egg production rate, body weight and nutritional control, as well as skeletal structure and calcium reserves.